Lawyer Feature – Chia Yong Yong from Chia Yong Yong Law Corporation

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Areas that you specialize in and why you choose this practice area

I am a corporate lawyer, with particular interest in applying a holistic approach to the development of businesses, whether they be start-ups, SMEs or larger corporations. My 30-over years of experience in a broad spectrum of legal practice, and recent years in the monetisation of intellectual property, enables me to work alongside clients, using legal documentation and negotiating skills as tools to raise funds, grow and protect what clients have created, and to exploit their assets strategically in their business development.

I also have a passion for the protection of families. After all, most of us work very hard, for our dreams, our families. As such, an important part of our work includes discussing with clients on provision for their families should they become incapacitated, or should they pass on (no, we don’t sell insurance), and using our legal skills and documentation to carry out their instructions.

My focus on business and family represent my personal conviction that these are two of the most important parts of a person’s life. The quality of our relationships and life depends greatly on both business and family being well taken care of. As a lawyer, I hope to give clients some peace of mind.

What made you want to be a lawyer, and what drives you today

I started as an idealistic young person thinking about justice and fairness. Over the years, my instincts to protect clients grew stronger, resulting in a greater inclination to protect clients at all costs. I frequently need to remind myself that what gets deals closed remains justice and fairness. So I try to balance my ideals (justice and fairness) and my instincts (protection of clients), and find that that works great!

I am driven by the impact that I can choose to make for a client’s business and family.

Common misconceptions about your practice area

That corporate lawyers are just lawyers. No, we can be your strategists and negotiators as well. Often, we also become friends.

And we don’t always have to be expensive. It really depends on what you want, what you need, as opposed to how much you can afford to pay. For big complex deals, of course our charges are higher, but for simpler transactions, we have a suite of documentation that we can offer clients at affordable prices.

If you were to start a business someday, what would it be and why?

I just started my own law practice! More than a law practice, I wanted it to be a social impact law practice. One which impacts clients and our wider community. Beyond dishing out legal advice and churning out legal documents, we want to walk with clients in their journey – whether it be at the start of their business, during their growth, in times of challenges, in providing for their family: the things that matter to each of us in our own lives.

Your most prized possession

My time spent with my family. For many of us, family is most precious but given the pressures of work and other “important” commitments, we tell ourselves that our family will be there, when we finally have time. For some reason, we are not conscious that in the meantime, our parents age, our kids grow up, and before we know it, we have missed out on a great part of our lives together.

3 fun facts about you

#1. I like adventure, pushing limits. I feel exhilarated when we push ourselves beyond what we originally thought we could do, even if it’s just by a little bit. I don’t take “no” for answers (except when they refused to let me take the roller coaster rides).

#2. Other than my family, I like being with friends, just chilling out and saying silly mindless things to each other.

This article does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion on any matter discussed and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and practice in this area. If you require any advice or information, please speak to practicing lawyer in your jurisdiction. No individual who is a member, partner, shareholder or consultant of, in or to any constituent part of Interstellar Group Pte. Ltd. accepts or assumes responsibility, or has any liability, to any person in respect of this article.